Concrete-block-making machine.



J, A. FERGUSON.

CONCRETE BLOCK MAKfNG MACHINE.

APPLICATION HLED ocr. 19, 191s.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

a, y Ms Patented Aug. 21,1917. 4

@Mm Wf//wdm I. A. FERGUSON.

CONCRETE BLOCK MAKING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. I9. 1916.

I,.23?,88'?. Patented Aug. 21, 1917.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

@MM WZ/w/Wd @wwwa/13.5

- containingnot toomuch water to `provide.'x a mass of a sufficiently stiffened consistency to enablethelmolded block to" retain its" l shape, until fullyhardened and set, upon' JOHN rtf fsnneusoiv, or1 nnivvnit, coLoRAno.

i concianrnianoloit-Miiinnsifiaoriiivn. 'I i incassa.l

To all whom 'it may concerni 'l f Beit known that l," JOHN FERGUSON,

a citizen of the United States, residing at' the city and county of Denver and State of Colorado, have invented certain vnew 'and useful Improvements in Concrete-Block-` ll/faking Machines; and l do hereby declare the followingto" he a full, clear,an`d"enactI in block forming machines. y

l't' is primarily designed for" molding con,-

cretefbuilding blocks, and while in the speci! tication and claims I shall so refer to it as a concreteblocl making machine, it will 'be understood that I do not limit` myself to its use manufacturing concrete blocks per "Se,

as it will be obvious fromthe *following disclosure 'that my machine `may be "em" ployed in other `zinalogous uses,1 andlintend the term concrete to include equivalent' types of composite building blocks of approf priate formations,-l`and whether or notfthey are veneeredwitha slab or ra finished facing surface inlrimitation of stone, /marblefor otherwise, as frequently occurs in this Fart.,

i Apparatus for this purpose, as heretofore employed, hasrequired a concreteinixt'ure removal from the mold.

ltiisnow recognized, however, that better" resultsare obtained when a plenty of wateri is used', and that finished 'blocks made froin al mixture r. containing an insufficient amount of water, even though thoroughly ,indurated, -are veryl porous, ahsorptive and otherwise defectively *j weak, f providing a poor `wall building material, ywhereas a wall structure of ysuperior resistancei strength, f against crushing pressure, "and vabsolute dryness lisy notffonly desired 'but highly essential. f"

Thebroad aiinjof the present invention,

therefore, is toprovide a yhighly .fcientgma chine that will sof permit 4of the satisfactory molding of. concrete'. building lblocks, from consistently possible, rvto vinsure the best 1 rer sults, and at thefsame timefwith amafchi'ne* j.sisemfiifwwwnicht! "z `5].'3ateni Augenioiv.

'Applicationinedotoberie, 191e. `seria'iivo.126,609.

durable in 'use,`and comparatively inexpensive to manufacture andy operate. i

Other objects yand advantages of my improved construction willy appear fromthe following description mi the Aai@einge forming apart ofthisapplication, the" par` ticular features of novelty ofthe invention being ysuccinctlyy stated in fthe-appened claims.V y f .Referring now tothe drawings, in which like characters designatethe'sarne: part in` the several views i j V Figure'l is aperspective 4view ofthe p`referred form of a machine, involving the principles of my invention, 'theypl'aten 'or' work support being shown in its elevated" positiom'to form a ,bottoinclosiire'fo'r the main mold section, and the auxiliarylug molding sectionsbeiiig swung back out of operative position. f Y i yFigs'. 2, 3 and 4, are" perspective views,

simply illustrative ofsorneyfof the styles'of blocks that may he made with my improved machina-"Fig, l, showing two of .the 'blocks' of Fig.' 2 as vassociated at a cornerof a wall. Fig. '5, isa' perspective view, substantially similarto Figui., but with the auxiliary lugj molding sections rclosed-fn operativev posi-g' tion, andfthe movableQplatenlowered from( y the main mold Isecti ')i`i, with a finished blockf appearing gthereoir as withdrawn 'l from the moldjsections;

"Fig 6,isay perspectiveiview of; one formI of suitabletypeiofhlug molding section i locking toward` the front thereof.-

a 4Fi'gafLfis a perspectiv'eview of a substan tially' similar' form of lugfmolding section,

the rear thereof.

` FigiS, is avi'ew in end' elevationoflth'eI "95 upper part of asimilar machine, but showc ing a slightly modified arrangement of the'l lug moldingfsections, and the means for de-y tachahlyfhinging' saine tothe" main mold section. 4 Y. Fig. 9, is a transverse sectional view,taken filled with Vvthe concrete mixture.

Fig.10, is a sectional viewsimilar to Fig; 9, but ywith the lug molding elements closed inoperative position, and the complete mold lilled'with the vconcrete mixture,"I

-offlar'ger proportions, and?4 lookingtoward Fig.v11, is 4a llongitudinal sectional view, of the style of molds shown in Fig. 8, taken along the line 11-11 of Fig. 10.

Fig. 12, is a plan viewl looking down" on Fig. 8, but slightly modified in that the lug molding elements comprise a unitary structure, with a `plurality of lug molding pocketsltherefor,f instead` ofbeing kformed of sections, and

Fig. 13,0is a perspective lview of an eX? PreSSLQH, Plate., which `may also be Supplied to ,be impressedfupontheaipper faoeofone adaptedto beplacednupon the ltop ofthe f y finished lugs andl slightly .tapped'to start thefmoldegd kblock from ,the mold.

v f' lfdesignates the ,fra-me Work of .the

chine'of any suitable sub-structure, shown las @Ompfsns .metallic Side Standards, @est t ferm nternedhds 2 .between which is longitudinally disposed the v`main moldsecy Open at :theV top fandibo so,

'tion4, the end walls .of which abut against I i'ablepalletlelemena mounted on a vertically y movable platen snpport, ,being operable thereby' tojclose andqorovide a bottom for the main mold, whentliel platen support 1 is :elevatedandalso .i functioning as fa "removable -`carrier for the molded .block 6,-

I when the kvplaten support is lowered and the i yby its engagement with the bottom ed,. ;ey

finishedblock` is withdrawn from the mold,l asshown in lthe position indicated at. Fig. ijjjfoThe palletlelement ork platen board 5Z does not operate through the mainfmold to.'

@ject the moldedvblock from the vtop there of, the molded block beinofwithdrawn yfrom thefbottom., The preferable arran,.,ementis 1...t0emp10ya Platen board. 0f greater dimer# sions than they open bottom'fofthe vmainv mold, yso .that i when elevated, l 1to, close the bottom thereof, it will not @enten,themain mold, o v its upward movement being 'limited faces of the wallsv of the main mold.

This platen support. 7 may simply'r be in;v

they nature ofan open frame, consisting of end bars, having forwardly projecting shelfi likeextensions or, guides 8, and thel longi? c tudinaltie-rodsfQ,ande-in. turn the platen; support is carried by vsuitable ,end .loracketsy l10, havingA branched, arms,y and "Provided with slide elements,y shown asjsleeves ,slidinglypmounted on vertical guide rods, 12,

vsuitably securedfto'the framework, 'and'` near the lower ends of which maybemounted," if OleSljet` Springl buiers 113; against whichthe sleeves 11 engage in their'descent 65 to take up any possible jar.

Between the bifurcated or spaced arms of the*v end brackets 10 Vare mountedY bearing Vpins 14, on which are journaled the upper vheads 15of link connections 16, the lower 70 Y heads 17 lof which are in turn pivotally conheated, as at 18, to sh'ort lever arms 19 of la rock shaft 2(1), suitably journaled on the frame work 1,and provided at one end with an operating hand lever 21.- Fornicety of adjustment the ylinlrconnections 16 may-include threaded rods anda.turn-lmclrle elementas shown.v f I 4variously' modified .lugmold forms may 'A beemployed, both as to detailslof construc` tion :and dimensions, toy meet conditions of molding ,the blocks of specially desired contours and sizes,f;a nd the lug mold sections mayinsome cases be of unitaryv structure, or compriseiseparate members, suitably associated withtheytop of the main mold ysection. i

kvReferring to Figs. L1, 5,6 and A7, there is illustrated a preferred general Ytype-of lug mold sections (of which there'may lbe-obvi 90 ous variations as to 'dimension and form)l associated Awith the main mold section,Y either as a Isingle unit or as a pair or vmore of units, dependent uponyvhether' one or more lugsA are .to be formed on the blocks., v

In' this 'particular arrangement, av 'hinge rod 22 is locatedat the rear top ofthe ma- Chine, tov ,which rodfsecuring arms 23, carried by thelug mold sections 2,4, vare detachably secured `both in pivotal and s-liding relation;k to the krod.

.As more clearly shown in Figs. L 7 ythese arms (instead lofl beingintegrally t formed lugs, which they might well be) are preferably `separate' elements, bolted-as `-at 105 25 tooithe bottom side flanges :25a of the lug mold sections. They are preferably cast to `provide atfsone end 4a yconcave*under lip 26 and an overhanging lip 27, terminating in a projecting stop .lug 28, and the wholeproviding fa Aclaw-like vdetjaohably pivotal bearing, which also permits of ythe adjustment of the lug mold sections, along therod 22, to desired positions aboveth'e mainmold 4 and platen 5. y 1. 'These mold sections 24 areprovidedwithlug forming pocketsv 30, the sidegwalls of'. which *are preferably slightly convergent so th'attlie formed concretelugs will have aI tapering surface', adapting them formorer 12,0 ready withdrawalfrom the forms'.y The upper portOll'mayrbeflanged as at 29, provid` ing aytable-like surface to facilitate the-filling of the formingpockets 30, andalso func tionmg asa cover., or guard plate toprevent. 125 the concrete mixture yfrom vfalling onL tothe ymitin body portion of the blocks.I

' To hold thev lug mold sections properly indicated in Fig. 11,` substantiallymadjustableasin Figs. 1 to 5, kor theymay be, as shown in plan in Fig. 12, formedr as aunitary-structure,with` a plurality of lug forming pockets. f i

As separate elements, they would be pivotally connected to and in sliding Aengage.` ment with thevrod 22 to `function as deinafter scribed with reference to Figs. 1 and 5,/but if of unitaryfstructure they might `simply be pivoted to individual hinge pins,here referred to in connection `with Fig. 12. f

- The practicallyminor difference is in the formy of the ,pivotal securing means; which in these figures simplyI comprise` tnet lugs `or `short arms k31 formed: integrally with the lug mold sections, and having a rearwardly opening slot S2/to. provideila detachably pivoted Ibearing ywith the lrod 22, or the hinge pins of Fig. 12, referred to. And instead of theioverhanging lip 27'v and stop.28,-l provide an integralcurved arm 33 the end34 of which yforms an equivalent y `stop, abutting against the main mold 4to limit the rearward` swing loffthelug mold sections, as clearlyfindicated-in fFig. kSL35 'simply indicate handholdsfor the lug `mold sections. f n

In Fig. 12, krthelngmold section 24ais'of unitary structure, which form may satisfactorily be employed whereno-.change fin the disposition of the mold forming pocketsk is required, and hence adjustment along the top of thev main mold unnecessary. In this form, two or more lug forming pockets 30'it are arranged in `thennitary mold section, and spaced ears 36 or similar projections from the main mold are provided with hinge pins or pivots 37 engaged by the slotted lugs 31 of the lug mold section as heretofore explained. Y

39 in Figs. 1 and 5 simply indicates adjustment set screws associated with the link connections and rock shaft levers, for positioning them in direct alinement for upward position of registration.

From the foregoing complete description, taken with the drawings, it is believed that the operation of the machine will be fairly apparent, but the same may be brieliy stated with reference to molding a two lug block, Such. as shown in Fig. 2, i

.Withfthe lever 21 thrownrearwardlyto yes elevate a supported platen 5f into abutting open bottom of the main mold section 4,

and with the auxiliary or lug mold sections 24 moved to their open positions, as shown in Figs. 1 and 9, the main mold section 4 isfthen filled with the cementitious mixture andfthoroughly tamped to form the base of theconcrete block.

The lug mold sections are then closed as best illustrated in Figs. 10 and `1l `(and locked by the lugs and notches 41 and 42, as in Fig. 5) when the pockets 30 of these sections are also filled with the concrete mixtureand the resultant lugs caused to become integrant parts of the base of the block, yafter which the completed composite block is ready for withdrawal vfrom the mold, the removable'platen serving also as a carrier support for the'composite yblock until it has become fully hardened or set. ltwill be understood that the concrete mixture contains a substantial quantity of gravel, broken stone or the like, in addition toits binding cement, and it is of a suliicient consistency to avoid any appreciable displacement or distortion of, the mixture in the main mold, forming'the main body of the block, owing `to `the weight jor pressure of the mixture in the lug mold sections above; but any such tendency is further avoided by the bottom side flanges 25a of Figs. 1, 5, 6 and 7, or theirequivalent out,- wardly spreading bottom edge beads 25b-of Fig. 9. f 'Y LExpression plates, such as shown 'in Fig. 13, may be employed, if desired, to slightly start the formed `block from themold forms. This may be done by placing them in posi-- tion in the upper opening of the moldforms 30 and slightly tapping them, and at the same time thelnegative, die thereon will impress a suitable trademark on the 'molded lugsh., v j l The lever 21 being then thrown forwardly, the platen supporting frame, withits re `movable platen and molded block thereon,

through its link connections with the lever operated rock shaft, will. be lowered to the position of Fig. 5, and that platen with its block may be slid out on the guides 8 and replaced by another platen, when the operations may be repeated indefinitely.

It will be obvious that, where it is simply desired to manufacture two-lug blocks of uniform shape and dimensions, a unitary auxiliary lug mold section, such as shown in Fig. 12, may satisfactorily be employed. If one-lug blocks, as shown in Fig. 3, are to be made, it will only be necessary to use but one of sectionally arranged lug mold sections of Figs.. l7 and 5 to l2, and it be f ing:properlyfadjusted over the mainniold,

a central or otherwise one-lug block may r vor their dimensions, `may be regulatedby the "employment Aof properlug mold forms andtheir adjustment above themaingmold, So also, inieither typeof machine, the div mensions ofthebaseofvthe.blocks may be determined by the insertion of =a division plate or-*plates 38, asain `Fig. .11, whereffor illustration there isshown ra plurality4r of blocks formedJat onertime, each havinga single central;lug. .f

yFinally, it will ybe further obvious that, while rforsimplicity there is merely shown almachine of restricted 1width,the number and kind of; .blocks that may be manufac tured at one time is only limited bythe lengthof the main mold section, fand its damming oli` by division plates 38, andthe number andform of the auxiliary lug mold sections employed lwhich latter may be readilyv detached or attached as desired. l

It will be understood ythat I do not limit myselfto the exact disclosuremade, -except-v ingas' restricted bya fair construction/of the scope of the ensuingl claims, contemplating the-use of afull range ofequivalents in actual inanufactural structure, but having thus Vfully showniand-described certain practical embodiments ot' the invention, what I do claim vis v f l.v In a concrete :block making machine,

vthe Acombination of -amain mold, open at top and bottom; an auxiliary mold, .em-

bodying alug forming pocket, mounted to Copies oilvthis` patent may be obtained for therefor,f and downwardly to Withdraw the finished blocklfromi out ofthe bottomiof the mold,y kwhen molded, substantially as described.

"2./In .a concrete block makingmachine, the combination of amain mold, openattop and bottoni; a guide element extending longitudinally of said' mainl mold 'an auxiliary mold,V embodying a lug forming pocket, adapted to-close over :theltop of'said main mold;means `for mounting said 'auxiliary ment with said guide element;a platen operably supported beneath said main mold; and means 1 for 'operating lsaid `platen 'to function substantially as described.

Vv3. In a concrete block making machine, the combination of a m-ain mold, open at 'top and bottom; a yplurality of auxiliary molds, each `providing-fa lug forming pocket, cooperatively mounted on'the'top of said main mold and adjustable'toward and away from each other longitudinally thereof; a platen operably supported beneath said main mold; andmeans vfor operating said platen upwardly to fprovide a bottom closure for said main mold yand downwardly to withn draw the molded block from its vmold sections, substantially as described.

4E. In sa `concrete block making' machine, the combination of amain mold, open at top and bottom; a guide element'extending longitudinally` of said main mold; a plurality of auxiliary :molds,"each providing a lug` forming .pocket; 'means for mounting` said auxiliary-molds'fon the top of said main mold, independently of each other, in readily detachable' pivotal and slidingvk engagement withisaidzgnide element; a platen operably supported beneath said 'main 1nold;and-means .for operating said platen to .function substantially as described.

In testimony whereof, I ailix my signature. 1

five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of latents. Washington, D. C.

- yJOHN A FERGUSON. i

vmold in 'both' pivotal andr sliding engage- 

